Here are top websites and online resources to find “hidden-gem” adventures across Asia — what each is best for and why to use it. I’ve included a short note about the kind of trip or planning each site excels at.

1. Atlas Obscura — best for weird, unusual, offbeat sites and local oddities. Great when you want unique, story-rich places (historic curiosities, secret temples, unusual festivals). (en.wikipedia.org)

2. Travelfish (Travelfish.org) — best regional guide for Southeast Asia. Deep, boots‑on‑the‑ground coverage, practical transport/guesthouse notes and lesser-known towns outside the mainstream routes. Ideal for backpackers and independent travelers exploring SE Asia. (en.wikipedia.org)

3. Lonely Planet — best for dependable “off the beaten track” suggestions plus guidebook‑level logistics (how to get there, where to stay). Good balance of popular and underrated spots across all of Asia. (Also look at their country guides and feature articles on hidden gems.) (Agoda.com)

4. Culture Trip (CultureTrip) — good for curated, culture-focused lists of lesser-known places, local experiences and creative itineraries (city neighborhood guides, foodie/arts angles). Useful for inspiration and “where locals go” picks. (audiala.com)

5. Nomadic Matt (nomadicmatt.com) — best for budget-minded off‑the‑beaten‑path ideas and practical tips on saving money while exploring lesser-known destinations in Asia. Useful for longer trips and overland routes. (mightytravels.com)

6. Agoda / travel platforms’ “Hidden Gems” and Special Editions — hotel/tour aggregator writeups that highlight underrated destinations and niche experiences (especially useful for finding remote stays and gauging availability/prices). Good for planning where to sleep in less-touristed places. (Agoda.com)

7. Journal of Nomads and independent travel blogs (e.g., Journal of Nomads, Backpacking Guys, others) — best for long-form personal reports, remote-route details, and unusual multi‑week itineraries. These are frequently updated by travelers who actually explore remote regions. (Blog posts are especially helpful when you need granular, recent on-the-ground tips.) (theawakenbuddha.com)

8. Reddit communities (r/travel, r/solotravel, r/AsiaTravel and country‑specific subreddits) — best for crowdsourced, current intel and real‑time recommendations (safety tips, seasonal access, recent infrastructure changes). Use for quick questions and up-to-date local advice. (Community answers are time‑sensitive — check post dates.) (epicfateexplorer.exblog.jp)

9. Region- or country‑specific specialist sites — examples: Travelfish for SE Asia (above), Seat61 for train routes, local tourism board microsites and English-language local publications (e.g., Secret Singapore-type sites) — best for niche transport, hidden beaches, islands and local events. Combine these with larger guides for logistics. (en.wikipedia.org)

10. Small‑operator/experience platforms and boutique tour companies (e.g., local adventure operators and experiential tour sites) — best for hard-to-reach adventures (cave expeditions, remote trekking, community stays). They’ll often have access and permits that independent travelers can’t easily arrange.

Quick tips for using these sites together

• Start with inspirational sources (Atlas Obscura, Culture Trip) to pick ideas, then verify logistics on guide sites (Lonely Planet, Travelfish) and accommodation/route availability on Agoda or local operator pages. Use Reddit for recent conditions and independent blogs for step-by-step, granular reports.
• Cross‑check seasonal access, visa rules, and safety updates before you go — small/remote sites can change rapidly.
• Save local phone numbers, transportation timetables and recent trip reports (blog posts or Reddit threads dated within the last 12 months are especially valuable).

If you want, I can:

• Make a short, region‑by‑region list of the best hidden‑gem pages (e.g., best sites for SE Asia, South Asia, East Asia, Central Asia).
• Pull specific hidden‑gem itineraries for one country (e.g., Japan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka) with direct article recommendations and recent notes on access.

Which would you prefer?